Bequests

Ways to Give

Bequests

What will your legacy be?

Bequests are one of our most powerful means for doing good in our world. Bequests, or gifts from estates, have helped shape St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School as a beacon of light in Charlotte County piercing through the darkness and uncertainties of our times. Bequests empower St. Charles to bring the Light of Christ to those thirsting and hungering for that which only God can quench and satisfy. Bequests have funded scholarships, artwork, technological improvements, security enhancements, building renovations and upkeep, as well as contributing to the overall beauty of our campus. But more than anything else, it allows us to better serve the people of God, both in their spiritual poverty, as well as in their material poverty.

Let us help you realize your St. Charles legacy. Learn how to name St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School as a beneficiary of your will, find out how retirement plans make the most highly tax-efficient bequest to charity, and be inspired by the stories of some our bequest donors. If you are interested in sharing a lifetime of your blessings with St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School, please contact our Development Director, Phil Fischer, at (941) 625-4754, ext 217, or e-mail him at phil_fischer@stcbs.org.

Understand the Ways to Give

You can make a bequest to St. Charles Parish and School for a percentage of your estate or a specific dollar amount. You can designate your bequest for general use or you can restrict its use. Many individuals establish endowments that honor the memory of a family member or another loved one. These endowments live forever since only the income is used annually.

Residuary bequests are used to give all or a portion of the rest, residue, and remainder of your estate after payment of expenses and any specific amounts designated to other beneficiaries.

Specific bequests are used to make a gift of a specific dollar amount or specific assets, such as securities, real estate, or personal property.

Make Your St. Charles Parish and School Legacy

The following includes several examples of suggested bequest wording to benefit St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School. Each individual situation is unique and, therefore, these examples include only some of the possible gift opportunities. We encourage you to share your final will provision with St. Charles Parish and School to ensure that your wishes will be properly followed and recognized.

Percentage of estate for unrestricted purposes

I give, devise, and bequeath to St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School, a not-for-profit organization located in Port Charlotte, Florida, _____ percent (%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate as an unrestricted gift to be used at the discretion of the Pastor/Administrator of St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School for the general purposes of St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School, located in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Percentage of estate for specific purposes with an endowment provision

I give, devise, and bequeath to St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School, a not-for-profit organization located in Port Charlotte, Florida, _____ percent (%) of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to establish the ________________________ ENDOWED FUND. The principal of this Fund shall be invested as part of the St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School’s permanent endowment and in accordance with its policies. The income therefrom is to be used by St. Charles Borromeo parish and School, located in Port Charlotte, Florida, for ____________________________________. Contributions may be added to the Fund at any time.

If changed circumstances should at some future time make it impractical to continue using the income from the Fund for the purpose designated, then the Pastor/Administrator of St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School may redesignate the purpose for which the Fund's income may be distributed, provided that the Fund shall continue to bear the name __________________________ ENDOWED FUND, and that the amended terms shall adhere as closely as possible to my original intent.

Specific amount of estate for unrestricted purposes

Specific amount of estate for specific purposes

I give, devise, and bequeath to St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School, a not-for-profit organization located in Port Charlotte, Florida, the sum of $___________ in cash or in-kind (or ________ shares of ________ stock) to be used for __________________________________________ at St. Charles Borromeo parish and School. If changed circumstances should at some future time make it impractical to continue using the income from the Fund for the purpose designated, then the Pastor/Administrator of St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School may redesignate the purpose to adhere as closely as possible to my original intent.

NOTE: To assist you with your plans, St. Charles Borromeo parish and School can provide sample language for the program or area you wish to support. This confidential service is available to you without obligation.

Designating the purpose of a bequest:

Unrestricted: The most useful type of bequest is unrestricted, allowing the funds to be allocated by St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School wherever the need is greatest.

Restricted: You may designate your bequest to support a special program or purpose that reflects your personal or professional interest (for example: tuition assistance, scholarships, technology upgrades, liturgical art and worship space, or accelerated curriculum programs).

If the bequest is restricted to a specific purpose, it is important that the following wording be added at the end of the provision. This will ensure that, in the remote possibility a field of study or specified purpose may cease to need funds in the future, an alternate use for the bequest may be determined.

"..... for so long as the Pastor/Administrator of St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School determines that the need exists. Should the need no longer exist, said Pastor/Administrator may, in his sole discretion, direct the use of my bequest for a purpose related as closely as possible to that stated above."

Donors are encouraged to call the Development Office at (941) 625-5533 before writing a will that includes any type of restriction on a bequest.

The information presented on these pages are not offered as legal or tax advice. You are urged to seek the advice of your tax advisor, attorney, and/or financial planner to make certain any gift you are considering fits well in your specific circumstances.